NPFL24: Odigie Bemoans Player's Complacency After Draw With Kwara United

NPFL24: Odigie Bemoans Player's Complacency After Draw With Kwara United

Precious Oham

Coach Monday Odigie of Bendel Insurance has bemoaned his players for complacency after his side played a 2-2 draw with Kwara United in match day 9 of the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League in Benin, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

According to him, the two goals his side conceded were out of indiscipline adding that it was not the result they expected. 

While blaming the poor result on the arrival of new players, who are yet to stick together, Odigie noted that they would continue to work towards their target for the season. 

His words: "This was not the result we wanted. Football comes like that. In the first half, there was a lot of complacency on the part of Insurance players. The team is having new players join them and it takes time for them to gel together. Attitude-wise, they need to understand what Bendel Insurance sticks to. It won't just happen over time. 

"A lot of mistakes were made in the first and second half of the game and we got a draw. It's a long league. We are mindful of the task and we will keep working towards our main objectives."

On his part, Kabir Dogo of Kwara United said his side would have won if not for the inexperience of the goalkeeper towards the end of the match.

Dogo said getting a point away was a good result that his team would consolidate in their next matches.

Sadeeq Yusuf got the opener for Kwara United in the 15th minute when he beat the Insurance’s defense to slot the ball into the net.

It took a last-minute goal by Ismael Sarki to salvage a point for the Benin boys in a tension-soaked match decided at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. 

Bendel Insurance came close to equalizing in the 24th minute, but Ezekiel Tamara’s nod slightly missed the target.

Stephen Sodje, however, leveled the score after 27 minutes via a powerful shot from outside the 18-yard box.

Six minutes to the end of the first half, Godwin Oshagbemi beat the hosts’ defense to give the lead to the visitors and ended the stanza 1-2.

Insurance, however, stepped up their game in the second half, but their dominance did not yield any result until stoppage time when Sarki nodded in a cross to restore parity for the hosts.